How To Get Rid Of Loose Skin After Losing Weight

Quick weight loss is the coveted dream of dieters all over the
world. To enjoy better health and confidence - and to do it all in a
matter of months - is the hope of everyone who goes on a crash diet or
undergoes bariatric surgery.

Sometimes quick weight loss is
attainable. It can even be sustained if the dieter is willing to make
long-term lifestyle changes that promote a healthier weight. But
sometimes rapid weight loss comes with unforeseen consequences.

Loose
skin is a common complaint among people who have lost a lot of weight
in a short amount of time. Now that they have lost a massive amount of
fat, their skin hangs in drapes from their arms, back, and stomach.

For some, this is merely a cosmetic concern. For others, it leads to impaired range of motion.
While loose skin is a sad fact of quick weight loss, there are ways to avoid it, or to deal with it if it becomes a problem.

How To Get Rid Of Loose Skin

Slow Weight Loss = Tighter Skin

For
starters, you could lose weight at a slower pace. If you lose your
extra pounds over the course of years instead of months, your skin will
slowly shrink to adapt.
However, some people are prone to saggy
skin due to age or genetics. For them, even a moderate weight loss could
result in unsightly folds.

Other people must undergo bariatric
surgery for the sake of their health, so slow weight loss might not be
an option. If prevention doesn't work, there are ways to get rid of
loose skin.

The Surgical Approach

Cosmetic
surgery is the fastest way to rid yourself of excess skin. Arm lifts and
tummy tucks are popular procedures for getting rid of flab. Both are
expensive, but many patients feel that the renewed confidence they feel
is worth the price.

If you decide to have surgery to remove loose
skin, schedule an initial consultation to discuss your expectations. The
surgeon will recommend the appropriate procedures, and will show you
before-and-after photos of patients who underwent the same surgeries.

What
if you can't afford cosmetic surgery, or you have a health condition
which makes you an unsuitable candidate for voluntary surgery? In that
case, you can try losing more fat.

The Fat-Loss Theory

Yes, lose more fat. You may be thinking, "I haven't got any more fat to lose! My skin looks like empty bags!"
In
extreme cases, such as cases where the patient cannot move around
normally, excess skin should be trimmed away by a surgeon. But for
everyone else, a little more fat loss could do the trick.

The
theory goes like this: If you pinch the skin on the back of your hand,
it feels thin as paper. That's because it has very little subcutaneous
fat.

But if you pinch your stomach or the backs of your upper
arms, you might notice that the folds of skin are thicker there than on
your hands. That's because, despite appearances, you're still carrying a
layer of fat in those places.

Losing fat does not necessarily
mean losing weight. In fact, as you ramp up the strength-training to
build muscle, you may notice a weight gain. That's because muscle is
denser than fat. You will end up smaller, but heavier - and healthier.

This approach takes patience and perseverance. It could take months or even years for you to reach a low body fat percentage.

It
could take just as long for your skin to shrink to its former size. In
the end, your metabolism will be faster than ever thanks to your
increased muscle mass.

Loose skin happens. If it's happening to
you, explore your alternatives by doing a little research and deciding
which path you want to take. Whether it's prevention, surgery, or fat
loss, your choice will bring you closer to the body you want.

About
Katie Grace

I’m Katie Grace, On FITBODYUSA, you’ll find lots of delicious recipes, healthy living fitness, and weight loss tips. Join in on the fun as we inspire each other to live the healthiest, BEST life possible!